The digital safety net

STAYING safe online has become far more than just a good idea – it seems it is now a real priority if we are to survive in the face of an ever-growing, fast-changing digital world.

That was the message from a conference in Guernsey this week, part of a national day to raise awareness about safer internet use. And the evidence was, quite simply, overwhelming.

Organised locally by the island's own E-Safety Group, which includes Education, the police, Culture and Leisure, States IT and Action for Children, who all deserve credit for staging such a proactive event, it featured top local and national experts including internet providers.

And it revealed that while digital still divides the generations, this decade sees it increasingly touching every islander as mobiles become far more than 'voice-centric' phones but cutting edge 'data-centric' mini computers.

Personal profiles, images and confidential details are available not only to the user but also, if left unprotected, to potentially a whole cyber underworld of predators, all at the touch of a button.

Do you always remember to turn off your Bluetooth, have you protected your broadband router, do you really know the extent of your Facebook settings? Probably not, if you're absolutely honest or haven't bothered to check. But taking some basic housekeeping security steps can limit the extent of digital damage to you, your family, your identity, reputation and future career prospects.

And it's a revolution that has no respect for personal boundaries. One shock statistic used showed that around 40% of UK employers routinely check applications against someone's digital footprint. Food for thought for job-hunters.

The turnout for the first session at Beau Sejour, was an eye-opener, with grandparents rubbing shoulders with web-aware professionals and digital natives – young people who have grown up seeing nothing unusual about a virtual world of social networking, instant messaging, gaming and, increasingly, sites revealing precisely where you are. And what was clear is that even the most online savvy among the audience didn't know everything.

Basically, no one can afford to be complacent, least of all parents as the phenomenal growth of sites such as Facebook, whose membership now tops 20m. in the UK, continues apace.

It may be a constant battle to stay ahead but the balanced presentation ensured the audience also came away appreciating the value and opportunities digital offers both now and in the future.

There are breathtaking advances constantly emerging in this industry that never sleeps – but for those who prefer to sleep easy, it's probably best to quickly go and check those settings.